1844 



THE PI CAR! AN BIRDS 



THE ROLLERS 



Family CORACIIDsE 



Birds of brilliant coloration, inhabiting most parts of the Old World, in the 

 shape of the body, as well as in the conformation of the beak, the rollers strikingly 

 resemble the crows. The palate is, however, of the bridged type, and the feet are 

 like those of the kingfishers, both in respect of the flat sole and the union of the 

 toes; while there are twelve tail feathers. The five genera are arranged under two 



COMMON ROZ.I.ER. 

 (Two-fifths natural size. ) 



subfamilies. The first subfamily (^Brachypteraciin^ is represented by three genera 

 confined to Madagascar, and characterized by the length of the metatarsus, and 

 their terrestrial habits. Of the typical genus, as well as of Geobiastes, little has 

 been related, but of Atelomis Grandidier states that both species live alone on the 

 ground in the forests; the flight being straight and the birds only perching on 

 the lower branches. Sir Edward Newton says that he only observed these birds 



